19/06/2025
Edward “Ed” Becker, 76, of
Mt. Olive, Illinois, passed away
on June 17th, 2025 peacefully
with his family by his side.
Born on February 28, 1949,
Ed was the youngest and only
son of Maynard and Elizabeth
(Betty) Potts Becker.
He graduated from Mt. Olive
High School in 1967 and went on
to earn a Bachelor of Science in
Mortuary Science from Southern
Illinois University Carbondale
in 1971.
After college, Ed returned
to his beloved hometown to
join his father and grandfather
in the family funeral business.
He was proud to carry on their
legacy and had a true calling for
comforting others during life’s
hardest moments. His presence,
compassion, and professional-
ism brought peace and guidance
to countless families in their time
of need.
In 1979, Ed married the love
of his life, Shelley. Together they
built a beautiful life rooted in
love, laughter, and shared pur-
pose. They raised four children:
Tracey (Larry) Fuller, Holley
(Doug) McFarland, Doug (Jen-
ny) Becker, and Betsey (Dustin)
Hildenbrand. Ed was a proud
and devoted grandfather to his
ten grandchildren: Autumn (Col-
lin) Schuricht, Madison Fuller,
Jordan Fuller, Brody McFarland,
Bo McFarland, Thea Becker,
Holden Becker, Finley Becker,
Oscar Hildenbrand, and Everly
Hildenbrand.
Ed poured his heart into the
town he called home. He wasn’t
just a resident of Mt. Olive—he
was part of its fabric. Whether
it was helping organize the
Wacky Olympics, coaching little
league, playing volleyball and
playing “all-star” poley with
his longtime partner Jr., Ed was
always in the middle of the ac-
tion, bringing people together.
He proudly served as president
of Turner Hall for 17 years and
became the familiar voice be-
hind the beloved annual Easter
Egg Hunt. He celebrated every
tradition, big or small, and even
managed to bowl a perfect 300
game—just one more story in a
life full of them. Ed didn’t just
participate—he made things hap-
pen, and he made them special.
One of Ed’s greatest joys was
traveling with Shelley. Whether
it was a train trip through the
mountains, packing up for a
family vacation, or heading to
a music festival, Ed loved the
adventure. He cherished the ex-
periences, the laughter, and the
memories made along the way.
Their journeys were filled with
music, good food, shared stories,
and friends.
He was also deeply committed
to public service and community
involvement. Ed was a charter
member of the Jaycees, an alder-
man, and a longtime member
of the Mt. Olive Volunteer Fire
Department and ambulance
service, serving over 20 years.
He held memberships with the
Knights of Columbus and his
lifelong church. He also served as
president of the City and Union
Miners Cemetery boards and was
a trustee of Chapman Cemetery.
Ed’s love for St. Louis
sports—especially the Cardi-
nals—was second to none. He
had an encyclopedic memory for
stats, loved a good sports debate,
and rarely missed a game. His
family will always remember
the passionate conversations,
predictions, and occasional
frustrations about how the season
was going—and how it should
have gone.
Outside of sports, Ed had a
lifelong passion for music. For
37 years, he co-hosted Songwrit-
ers showcase a show on KDHX
St. Louis public radio with one
of his great friends, Larry Weir
and later another great friend
later Steve St. Cyr. Through that
platform, he connected with a
wide community of music lovers
and passed his appreciation for
music down to his children and
grandchildren through concerts,
shared playlists, and unforget-
table experiences.
Ed is preceded in death by
his parents and grandparents;
his mother-in-law Judith Haller;
father-in-law Paul Haller; and
in-laws Kenneth Hinkley, Zeb
Booth, Ion Hawkins, and Connie
Hawkins.
He is survived by his lov-
ing wife Shelley, his children
and grandchildren, and his two
sisters, Judy (Becker) Hinkley
and Jane Becker, sister-in-law
Donna (Haller) Booth, as well as
many beloved nieces, nephews,
cousins, and lifelong friends.
Ed’s life was full of purpose,
connection, and love. He leaves
behind a legacy of generosity,
humor, dedication, and unwaver-
ing community spirit. His impact
will be felt for generations, and
his memory will live on in every
story, every laugh, and every act
of kindness inspired by the way
he lived.
Visitation will be held on
Monday, June 23, from 3:00
to 6:00 p.m. at St. John Paul II
Catholic Parish Church, 705 E
Main St., Mount Olive, IL 62069
and again on Tuesday, June
24, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.,
followed by a Funeral Mass at
11:00 a.m.
Burial will take place at the
City Cemetery, and a luncheon
will follow at St. John Paul II
Catholic Parish Church Hall.
Memorials may be made to the
Mount Olive Fire Department,
FOCUS 5, and Turner Hall.
Edward “Ed” Becker
